This week, I have been inspired by my clients. Ten weeks ago, they walked into Hindssight and completed their initial fitness assessments. We tested their strength, muscular endurance and cardiovascular fitness. We established a starting point, identified areas for improvement and set some goals for the weeks ahead. For the past ten weeks, they've been training diligently and consistently, with the understanding that at the end of it all, we would be testing again.

What a week it's been so far (they have one more session left)!

I've watched clients lift weights they couldn't lift ten weeks ago. I've watched them surprise themselves, often looking at me in disbelief when I tell them what they've just accomplished. Today, I'll watch them improve their running times, increase their repetitions and push through exercises that previously left them completely exhausted.

As a trainer/coach, there's something incredibly rewarding about watching someone realize just how capable they really are.

It got me thinking about how we measure progress and how easily we can overlook our achievements when we're so focused on one particular number.

The scale. We live in a society where fitness progress is so often determined by how much weight we've lost. It's usually one of the first questions people ask. How much weight have you lost? Have you dropped a dress size? Are your clothes fitting differently?

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to lose weight or change your physical appearance ― and I have goals of my own in that department. However, I think we sometimes become so consumed by those numbers that we fail to appreciate everything else our bodies are achieving.

What about the person who couldn’t complete a mile without stopping ten weeks ago but can now run the entire distance?

What about the woman who struggled to squat with confidence but is now lifting more weight than she ever imagined?

What about the client who could barely complete ten push-ups but has since doubled their repetitions?

What about the person who simply feels better? Sleeps better? Has more energy? Walks up a flight of stairs without becoming breathless?

Surely these are achievements worth celebrating, too! I've always been a firm believer in athletics over aesthetics. Yes, I want my clients to feel good about how they look, but more importantly, I want them to appreciate what their bodies are capable of doing.

There’s a different level of satisfaction that comes with improving your performance. Suddenly, the focus isn’t entirely on burning calories or losing weight. You're working towards something. You're challenging yourself to lift a little heavier, run a little faster or complete a few more repetitions than you managed the last time.

You begin to look forward to discovering what else you can accomplish.

That shift in mindset is important, particularly when the physical changes aren't happening as quickly as we'd like.

Now, don't get me wrong. The scale certainly has its place. For some, weight loss is necessary to improve their overall health. For others, gaining weight and building muscle is the objective. Both are valid goals.

However, the scale doesn't tell the entire story.

It doesn't reflect the discipline required to get out of bed for an early morning workout. It doesn't account for improved mobility, increased strength or the confidence you've gained from doing something you once thought impossible.

It doesn't show the effort you've made to become more consistent with your exercise, improve your eating habits or simply prioritize yourself a little more.

These things matter.

Something else this assessment week has reminded me of is that progress doesn't always look the same for everyone.

Some clients have made tremendous improvements across all their assessments so far. Others have improved in certain areas while still having work to do in others. There may even be a few who don't achieve the results they were hoping for.

That's part of the process.

Ten weeks of training doesn't mean ten weeks of perfect attendance, perfect eating habits or perfect circumstances.

Life still happens.

Children get sick, work becomes demanding, schedules change and sometimes we're simply exhausted. There are weeks when everything goes according to plan and others when getting to the gym feels like an accomplishment in itself.

The important thing is what we do next.

Do we throw in the towel because we've missed a few sessions? Do we convince ourselves that we're not making progress because the scale hasn't moved? Or do we acknowledge where we are, make the necessary adjustments and keep going?

I often remind my clients that consistency doesn't mean being perfect. It means making a commitment to yourself and doing your best to honour it, even when circumstances aren't ideal.

As a coach, I have the privilege of seeing the work that goes into these improvements.

I see the frustration when a particular exercise feels difficult. I see the determination when someone decides to try again. I hear the complaints when I increase the weights or ask for another set. Trust me, there are plenty of those!

I also get to witness the smiles, the excitement and sometimes the genuine shock when they realise they've improved.

Those moments make my job incredibly rewarding.

Of course, we record the numbers. We compare the results. We identify where improvements have been made and where additional work is required. That's the purpose of assessing in the first place.

What I hope my clients take away from the experience, however, is a greater appreciation for the work they've put in and the progress they've made.

I want them to recognise that the person completing this week's assessments isn't quite the same person who walked in ten weeks ago.

Perhaps they're physically stronger. Perhaps their endurance has improved. Perhaps they're more confident in their movements or have developed better habits.

Perhaps the biggest change is simply that they've proven to themselves that they can commit to something and see it through.

That's progress, too.

As we complete this training block and prepare for the next, I want my clients to understand that these assessments aren't the finish line. They're an opportunity to reflect on what we've accomplished, recognise what still needs work and establish new goals.

There’s always room for improvement. I certainly haven't reached all of my own fitness goals, and I don't expect my clients to have reached all of theirs in ten weeks either.

What I do expect is effort, accountability and a willingness to keep working.

So, to my clients completing their assessments this week, I hope you're proud of yourselves. I hope you've taken a moment to appreciate how far you've come, particularly those of you who were surprised by your results.

You've worked for them!

For anyone reading this who has been feeling discouraged because the scale hasn't moved, I'd encourage you to consider a few other things.

Are you stronger than you were a few months ago? Can you walk or run a little farther? Are you recovering more quickly after exercise? Have you become more consistent? Are you making better choices when it comes to your overall health?

If so, give yourself some credit.

We can be incredibly hard on ourselves, especially when we've set a particular goal and feel as though we're not getting there quickly enough.

There's nothing wrong with wanting more for yourself. In fact, I encourage it. Just don't become so focused on where you want to be that you fail to acknowledge how far you've already come.

Celebrate the pounds lost, if that's your goal. Celebrate the pounds gained, if you've been working towards building muscle. Celebrate the heavier lifts, faster runs, improved mobility and increased endurance.

Most importantly, celebrate the effort it took to get there.

Your fitness journey is about far more than the number staring back at you when you step on the scale.

Ten weeks from now, where could you be if you remain consistent with your efforts?

Something to think about.

Happy Thursday, fitfam!

Remain unapologetic about your journey, stay true to yourself and, as always, be honest with your efforts.

• Dre Hinds is a personal trainer, aerobic and yoga instructor and fitness “addict” with more than 20 years’ experience. She specialises in nutrition, weight and sprint training, operating out of HindsSight Fitness and Wellness at the Berkeley Cultural Centre. Contact her at absbydre@gmail.com or on 599-6683. Find her on Facebook, X and Instagram under @Absbydre